Gerrard: Barry deserves place

[Olzy]

England's Steven Gerrard expects Gareth Barry to feel "hard done by" if Frank Lampard replaces him for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers

Barry stepped into the England midfield when Lampard was injured last month and formed an impressive partnership with Gerrard in the Wembley encounters with Russia and Israel.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard is fit again and could return to displace Barry as Gerrard's partner at home to Estonia on Saturday and away to Russia next Wednesday.

But the Liverpool skipper, who will captain his country in the absence of John Terry against Estonia, said: "Gareth was fantastic in both games and I'm sure he'll feel hard done by if he was dropped. He was man of the match in those two games."

Gerrard is backing Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney to form a lethal strike partnership.

After Owen and Emile Heskey combined so well last month in the absence of the injured Rooney, questions have been raised about the Manchester United striker's ability to play with Owen.

But Gerrard said the different qualities both players possessed meant they could play together.

He added: "People who are doubting that combination, I can't really understand that. I think they're a great partnership."

Rooney has not scored in a competitive England international since Euro 2004 but Gerrard said: "That's mainly down to injuries. He's missed a lot of internationals.

"For Manchester United, he's getting back to his best and scoring goals. I think a goal is only around the corner."


In other words, Gerrard doesnt like fat Frank

[NJ10]

Er....no. Its called common sense. Barry did well against Israel & Russia, so yeah of course he should feel "hard done by" if he loses his place. What sort of professional wouldnt?

[hk_on99]

In other words, Gerrard doesnt like fat Frank

No, he just feels that Barry, who turned in two impressive performances for England, should be dropped for Lampard who missed out on the whole of September and only just got back to match fitness. Whether he's in form or not we have yet to see.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Gerrard prefer Barry over Lampard so he can contribute more offensive.

[henry14]

Yesterday, England against Russia that Barry and Gerrard were the centre midfielder. Their cooperation was better than Gerrard partnered with Lampard.
Besides, Barry has done lots of cleaning and interception decently then helped captain Gerrard had more opportunities and to be reassured to attack.That's the main point. If coach McClaren still selects Lampard and Gerrard to play in centre midfielder, thereby that will be limited Gerrard' attacking. It is vitally nonsense.
A determined, illustrious and smart coach should look at player's performance but not their prestiges. So player will have more opportunities to play for international.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

To be honest I haven't seen a more offensive Gerrard with Barry beside him.

[russe||]

For me the question isn't whether or not Barry deserves his place, it's does Gerrard deserve his? I can't say I'm convinced he does.

[c.ronaldo#1]

Originally Posted by russe||

For me the question isn't whether or not Barry deserves his place, it's does Gerrard deserve his? I can't say I'm convinced he does.

Thats the same opinion i have.

[Dellas]

Do you guys think now that you absolutely have to win the game, to stand a chance of qualifying, that Barry will play or will Lampard and Gerrard be the central midfield partnership against Croatia??

[kyan]

It's a tough decision tbh, I honestly don't think Lampard has been in the form he's been over the last month for at least 2 years. I'm not the biggest Lampard fan but he's been immense over the last month, and against Everton he was really impressive, everything he hit was on target and he ran the game.

I would have said drop Gerrard and play Lampard & Barry, but Gerrard's come back to form recently as well so that wouldn't make too much sense either.

I think the solution might be to put Gerrard on the RW with Lampard and Barry in the middle. SWP has been shite again recently.

[Sven]

Lampard has to go back in the team in his current form.

Or play all three now Rooney is injured.

[andy villa]

tbh, it should be who should play with barry out of gerrard and lampard...